Dynamic Canine Tracking Method for Hazardous and Illicit Substances

ABSTRACT

Vapor wake detection is a highly advantageous method and system for detecting explosives and other illicit substances. With vapor wake detection, a canine and a handler are used; however, unlike other detection schemes, the canine leads the handler. After the handler positions the canine in a desired location, the canine detects scents in the air that come to the canine. When the canine detects a trained scent, the canine leads the handler to or follows behind the carrier of the item with the scent. Once the carrier is identified by the handler, the proper personnel are contacted. To implement vapor wake detection effectively, specific rigorous training is utilized.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/240,049, filed Sep. 4, 2009,and entitled, “DYNAMIC CANINE TRACKING METHOD FOR HAZARDOUS AND ILLICITSUBSTANCES,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entiretyfor all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of substance, material andobject detection. More specifically, the present invention relates todetection of hazardous or illicit substances, materials or objects usinga canine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drug sniffing dogs have been utilized for many years in areas such asports and airports to sniff for and locate illegal drugs. A handlerleads the dog to each container or luggage, and the dog attempts to pickup a scent of any drugs. The handler is the one who directs the searchand the dog is merely used as a sniffing mechanism. The dog searches thetarget (a person, a vehicle, luggage, a warehouse, etc.) for any odor ithas been trained to recognize and gives the handler a final response ifany such odor is detected.

Similarly, bomb sniffing dogs have been utilized at airports and otherlocations to sniff for and locate bomb devices. Again, a handler guidesthe dog to search luggage and other items and locations. Thesetechniques are very simplistic and have many flaws.

Although many explosives and thousands of pounds of drugs have beenuncovered in this manner, “handler driven” canine detection has somedisadvantages. One disadvantage is the narrowness of the search. Forexample, if the handler does not stop every single person walkingthrough an airport to let the dog search them for explosives, then thedog may miss a person carrying a bomb under his shirt. The dog can onlysearch those targets that the handler instructs the dog to search. Inother words, the dog only gets to search those targets that the handlerdeems are necessary to search. Another disadvantage is the obtrusivenessof the search. It is very obvious that officers are searching forsomething if a handler is leading a dog around while pointing to thingsfor the dog to sniff.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Vapor wake detection is a highly advantageous method and system fordetecting explosives and other illicit substances. With vapor wakedetection, a canine and a handler are used; however, unlike otherdetection schemes, the canine leads the handler. After the handlerpositions the canine in a desired location, the canine detects scents inthe air that come to the canine. When the canine detects a trainedscent, the canine leads the handler to or follows behind the carrier ofthe item with the scent. Once the carrier is identified by the handler,the proper personnel are contacted. To implement vapor wake detectioneffectively, specific rigorous training is utilized.

In one aspect, a dog-driven detection method of detecting hazardous orillicit substances, comprises detecting a source of a target odor andleading a handler to the source of the target odor via a canine, whereinthe source of the target odor comes within a detectable range of thecanine. The canine searches the air for vapor trails or scent pools ofthe target odor generated by a moving or stationary target. The canineaccommodates dissipation of the target odor over time.

In another aspect, a method of training canines to carry out detection,wherein the canines are chosen based on a canine selection processcomprises choosing canines that are motivated to sniff and searchindependently in a manner to disguise their handlers, documenting thecanines' sniffing capabilities and choosing healthy canines that passmedical examinations. The method further comprises choosing canines thatare not overly sociable. The medical examinations include testing fordexterity and freedom from bone, joint and musculature pathologies.

In another aspect, a method of training a canine for detection, themethod comprises choosing a detector canine that demonstrates a highlevel of independent search behavior, teaching the canine that thesource of a target odor is not limited to stationary objects, teachingthe canine to follow a vapor-wake of a moving target, teaching thecanine to sample air currents and teaching the canine to follow thevapor-wake to the target and give a final response.

In yet another aspect, a method of implementing vapor wake detectioncomprises positioning a canine, detecting a target odor, recognizing thecanine's change of behavior when the target odor is detected,identifying a carrier of an item emitting the target odor and notifyingsecurity personnel of the carrier. Positioning the canine depends on alocation type and air currents throughout a location. The location typeis selected from the group consisting of a choke point, a crowd, peoplestanding in line, people moving and people standing still. The methodfurther comprising manipulating the air currents using an airmanipulation device. The change in behavior includes following thecarrier from behind at a distance determined by a handler. The targetodor is selected from the groups consisting of an explosive and anillicit substance.

In yet another aspect, a system for implementing vapor wake detectioncomprises a canine for detecting a target odor and following a carrierof an item emitting the target odor and a handler for positioning thecanine, recognizing a change in behavior of the canine, identifying thecarrier and notifying security personnel of the carrier. Positioning thecanine depends on a location type and air currents throughout alocation. The location type is selected from the group consisting of achoke point, a crowd, people standing in line, people moving and peoplestanding still. The air currents are manipulated using an airmanipulation device. The change in behavior includes following thecarrier from behind at a distance determined by a handler. The targetodor is selected from the groups consisting of an explosive and anillicit substance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart of a method of training a team in vaporwake detection according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of a training system according to someembodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method of utilizing vapor wakedetection according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of a vapor wake detection system accordingto some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A method of detection of or person-screening of hand-carried and/orbody-worn hazardous or illicit substances, materials or objects indynamic environments is described. The method is a novel “dog-driven”detection method which is distinguished from traditional caninedetection methods which are “handler driven.” In this manner, a sniffingtarget comes to the dog (usually on a lead) rather than the dog going tothe sniffing target.

A method of canine interrogation and detection of the vapor or volatileswake emanating from persons is described. The method is referred to asVapor-wake Detection. Some features of this method include the abilityto 1) screen large numbers of persons passing through a given spacewithout affecting the throughput of the persons through the space; 2) aspecific dog deployment strategy; 3) dogs are able to accommodatedissipation or decay of target odor over time; and 4) dogs are able toovercome distractions such as noise, commotion and ancillaryenvironmental odors, to prevent loss of tracking of the target odorant.

A method of training dogs to carry out Vapor-wake Detection isdescribed. The method includes a canine selection process containing thefollowing selection criteria: 1) documented sniffing capability (dogstrained to sniff selected targets; 2) healthy dogs capable of passingmedical examination including dexterity, freedom from bone, joint andmusculature pathologies; 3) not overly sociable animals; 4) motivated tosniff and search independently and in a non-obvious manner to disguisehandler (handler takes over once a person has been identified); and 5) amanual for dog maintenance and conditioning for the ultimate doghandler.

The method of canine training also includes a procedure/protocol fortraining which includes specific steps including 1) modulatingbehavioral aspects such as aggressiveness; 2) maneuvering around variousobstacles and distractions during the screening/detection process; and3) operation in high human density environments.

Applications of the methodology include the interdiction and capture ofsuicide bombers, narcotics handlers and purveyors of illicitchemical/biological warfare materials. The methodology is able to beapplied in varied environments such as transit systems, venues for largepublic event gatherings such as stadiums and buildings, areas ofcommerce such as shopping malls and military environments.

Vapor Wake Detection Canines

A vapor wake detection canine is a detector dog with formal training toindicate a trained substance carried on or worn by a person. The canineis non-aggressive towards people, pets and other harmless objects. Thevapor wake detection canine is worked on-leash. In particular, the vaporwake detection canine is able to analyze a vapor wake which is a path orcourse a target has taken, leaving behind an invisible suspension in theair of odor emitted from the target.

A handler assesses air currents/movement in the search area (e.g.predetermined boundaries within which the dog operates) and ensures thecanine has access to productive areas (e.g. specific locations in asearch area that provide the dog higher probability to encounter thesubstance odor), determined by air currents/movement. The handler doesnot influence the canine once the canine has initially encountered thesubstance odor. The canine searches independently of the handler—withoutguidance or direction to work differential thresholds to target. Thecanine is specifically searching the air for the substance odor vaportrails and/or scent pools generated by a moving or stationary target.The target is the location from which the odor originates. The canine isnot searching people. The canine's deployment is adaptable to variousenvironments to include but not be limited to stationary checkpoints,crowds, moving lines of people and any area of pedestrian activity.

Vapor wake training begins with a detector dog that demonstrates a highlevel of independent search behavior (e.g. a dog's capability to performwithout assistance or being influenced by a handler). The canine learnsthe source of the target odor is not limited to stationary objects. Thecanine learns to follow a moving target. Following a moving targetincludes: upon identifying a moving target, the dog pursues the targetfrom behind, at a distance determined by the handler. The canine learnsto sample air currents. The canine learns to follow the vapor-wake tothe target and give a final response (e.g. a behavior that a dog hasbeen trained to exhibit in the presence of a target odor source such assitting).

Vapor Wake Screening

When a canine team is screening people, if the handler is dressed inuniform, the team serves as a very valuable deterrent to explosives andcontraband being carried into an area. Or, if the vapor wake screeningis to be conducted in a less apparent manner, the handler is able to bein street clothes, appearing to be walking a pet dog or a service dogfor the handicapped.

During vapor wake screening activities, the canine detects an explosiveodor, but the handler is important to the process. The handler positionsthe canine in an area that compliments vapor wake screening, and inparticular, the types of vapor wake screening to be conducted. The teamis trained to detect explosives in different scenarios, including, butnot limited to, areas in which people are walking or standing, lines ofpeople and crowds in which people are standing or moving.

If explosive odor is detected while air screening, the canine is trainedto follow behind the perpetrator or approach a non-moving perpetratorfrom behind. Upon recognizing the canine's change in behavior (e.g. acharacteristic pattern of behaviors as interpreted by the handler thatoccurs when the dog detects a trained odor) and identifying the personcarrying explosives, the handler should remove the canine from the areaas to not alert the perpetrator. This is able to be done any time beforethe canine begins the final response (sit). The handler then discreetlynotifies other security personnel so they are able to covertly approachor follow and observe the perpetrator to take further action inaccordance with agency standard operating procedures.

Choke Points

This is a very effective way to screen people for explosives. The canineis allowed to freely move side-to-side within the choke point, withoutinterfering or making physical contact with persons passing through thechoke point. This utilizes good leash manipulation by the handler. Thecanine becomes increasingly more effective as the width of the chokepoint narrows. As pedestrians walk past the canine, the canine is castat leash length behind the person or group of people as the handlermaintains a loose static position. The vapor wake screening dogs aretrained to sample the plume of air coming off the person's body as theywalk past the team.

Crowds

Screening of crowds is conducted throughout an area. This is moredifficult than at a choke point but is achievable for the canine team.The handler is conscious of air currents; however, these currents becomemore disturbed with the movement within the crowd. The handler utilizesleash manipulation to navigate the canine through and around the peopleforming the crowd.

If the crowd is moving in a certain direction, the canine should be castfrom side-to-side behind the crowd while moving in the same direction.This requires the handler to move from side-to-side to allow the canineto sample the plume of air coming off the individuals.

If the crowd of people is moving various directions, the handler takesadvantage of available air currents while moving the canine in and outof the crowd to air scent in all directions.

If the crowd is standing still, the handler moves to the downwind flankof the crowd and discretely begins to move the canine into the crowd ina quartering fashion.

People Standing in Line

If the team is to screen people standing in line, a screening point orchoke point where the line of people must pass by the canine team shouldbe established. When necessary to screen an established line of people,the handler first evaluates existing air currents in determining thebest way to conduct the screening. The best scenario to screen peoplestanding in line is to have an air current perpendicular to thedirection of the line. The handler would then move the canine in thedirection of the line while staying on the downwind side of the line.

When the air current is moving in the direction of the line, the handlerbegins downwind of the line. As the team approaches the line, thehandler moves the canine close to the people in the direction of theline, occasionally moving through the line to the other side and thenagain in the direction of the line.

Manipulation of Air Currents

A very important factor the handler should fully understand aboutpositioning the canine properly is direction of air currents. This is aconstant process since air current direction is able to change withchanges in the environment. Factors which affect air currents include,as examples, air vents, arrivals and departures of various largetransportation conveyances and the opening and/or closing of doorsand/or windows. Canines trained are able to be used with natural aircurrents in the environment within which the team is working or withmanipulated wind currents.

Fan(s), or other air current manipulators, while not a necessity, areable to be utilized to establish air currents which assist the canine indetecting explosive odor. The fans are positioned at predetermineddistances from the area the canine is to be utilized. Fan placement ismade to produce a light breeze toward the canine team. A hard or fastbreeze will reduce the width of the scent cone and lessen the canine'scapability. The direction of the breeze is determined by the performanceof the team during training while using the fans. Therefore, thefollowing are possible fan placements in various operational settings.

Choke Points

As pedestrians pass through a choke point, a fan is placed so a lightbreeze is blowing into the face of the people passing though the chokepoint. As people pass by the canine team, the handler casts the caninebehind the people, positioning the canine downwind of the people movingthrough the choke point.

Crowds

When screening is conducted through a crowded area, fan(s) are placed onthe perimeter of the area to establish a light breeze. The team beginsscreening the area at the farthest point of the area, downwind of thecrowd. The team quarters the area. The team moves in and out of thecrowd while quartering upwind. The handler at all times maintains anawareness of the teams position in relation to the air currents.

People Standing in Line

When screening people standing in line, fan(s) are placed in a positionto generate a light breeze perpendicular to the line of people. The teamthen moves up and down the line of people while remaining downwind ofthe line.

Maintenance/Proficiency Training

Objective-oriented training is planned before each training session tomaintain and advance the canine's current level of proficiency. Vaporwake screening training is conducted with more focus on the caninebecause the canine is air scenting and works very independently.Therefore, it is acceptable for the handler to be knowledgeable of theperson acting as the training perpetrator in earlier stages of trainingEventually, however, the training is conducted without the handlerknowing the location or the training perpetrator. During training, thehandler continually analyzes the canine's behavior. Upon recognizing thecanine's change of behavior to explosive odor, the handler allows thecanine to follow the training perpetrator. The handler maintains a tautleash and allows the canine to pull with considerable force. The handlermaintains a distance from the training perpetrator and this distance isable to be increased through successive approximation during training;however, the handler should not run with the canine. The canine isallowed to continue to follow the training perpetrator carrying thetraining aid until the perpetrator comes to a complete stop. Upon thetraining perpetrator coming to a complete stop, the canine should givethe final response of “sit” a few feet behind the perpetrator. After apre-determined time, the training perpetrator turns around to face thedog, removes the hidden reward, and tosses the reward directly to thedog's mouth. In some embodiments, the training is not conducted untilthe following variables are fully planned:

-   1. The type of explosives training aid to be used.-   2. How the training aid is to be carried or packaged.-   3. The type of vapor wake screening to be conducted.-   4. Air currents (natural or manipulated) and their direction.-   5. The amount of time before or between exposure to explosive odor.-   6. The direction and route the person carrying the explosives is to    take.-   7. The number of times the canine gives a final response and/or the    time the dog remains in the final response before being rewarded.-   8. Distracters to be used during the training.

Explosive Training Aids

All explosive training aids the canine is trained to detect should beused, at different times, when conducting maintenance/proficiencytraining Care is taken in storage and handling of explosive trainingaids used in vapor wake screening to prevent cross-contamination oftraining aids. In addition, these training aids should be storedseparately from training aids used in regular explosive detectiontraining There is a likelihood that the training aids used in vapor wakescreening will become contaminated with human odor since some of thetraining requires the placement of the aid being carried close to aperson's body. However, every precaution should be taken to prevent suchcontamination, such as not allowing the training aid to ever make directcontact with a human. The training aid should be wrapped in barriermaterial to prevent human contamination.

When conducting vapor wake screening, the type of explosives andquantity should be varied so the canine remains proficient at detectingall the different types of trained explosives odor and differentquantities.

Training Aid Placement

Training aids are placed in items including, but not limited to,backpacks, rolling luggage, carried luggage, purses and packages. Anypossibility is replicated, and the training perpetrator is able to looklike any pedestrian or commuter. When replicating a suicide bomber, theuse of a second-chance vest (after removing the body armor) works welland is covered with clothing. Additionally, a hunter's vest or jacketwith interior pockets works well depending on the season.

During training, the amount of time the training aid is in place beforetraining begins is varied. When training first begins with a new team,the training aid is in place at least 30 minutes prior to the canineencountering the explosive odor. This time is able to be slowly reducedusing successive approximation. Eventually, the canine is capable ofdetecting explosives placed out for shorter amounts of time.

During vapor wake screening training, the canine is not able to cuevisually off the training perpetrator by noticing unusual bulk orrecognition of the person and/or baggage. Therefore, frequently newtraining perpetrators are used along with new baggage, backpacks,packages and garments. The same training perpetrator is able to be usedseveral times during a training day, but once it is determined to changetraining perpetrators, the old training perpetrator departs the area.The canine should not encounter this person even outside of traininguntil after the person has bathed and changed clothes to remove allexplosives odor, especially when replicating a suicide bomber scenario.

Training the Vapor Wake Screening Team

Again, planning is important to good objective-oriented trainingsessions. Prior planning ensures the training objective is achieved andincreases the canine's proficiency. The type of vapor wake screeningtraining varies between choke point, crowds and people moving and/orstanding still through the canine's working life. Prior to training,determine where and how the canine works the training scenario. Aircurrents are determined throughout the area in which the canine team isworking. This is to include the training perpetrator's entire route oftravel. It is also determined if any air currents are to be manipulatedwith the use of fan(s).

When conducting training, extension of the time in which the canine iscapable of effective vapor wake screening is done by using successiveapproximation. Good documentation of training sessions and a strongobjective-oriented training program is essential to achieving thisobjective. Variation of time before encountering explosive odor, fromthe shortest to the longest times achieved in training, is important. Iftraining always is consistent with a certain amount of time, the caninebegins to anticipate this time and not search during other periods oftime. Occasionally, extending the longest time searched, by adding acouple of minutes before the canine encounters explosive odor, isbeneficial. As long as the canine is successful, continue tooccasionally extend the time is helpful, but variation of the searchtime is more important to the success of the canine's capability.

While doing vapor wake screening training, support from various peopleto perform the role as the training perpetrator is used. Enlisting avariety of people to perform this function, utilizing various sizes,races, males and females is beneficial. Since inevitably the person usedwill not be familiar with vapor wake screening, canine training, or evendogs in some cases, precise instructions should be given to ensureproper behavior and performance. They should understand the following:

-   1. If they are moving, the should know where to position themselves    in a crowd of people and how close to come to the canine as they    move through a choke point or area.-   2. After they walk past the canine, they should know the precise    direction of travel, exact route to take.    Additionally, they should understand if at any time they are to stop    and how soon they should remain still before moving again, and then    the final location they should stop at. Upon stopping they should    understand how long they should remain still before they turn 180    degrees, face the canine, remove the canine's reward and toss the    reward directly to the canine's mouth. During training, the number    of stops the perpetrator makes before stopping at the reward stop    should be varied. Additionally, various paces for the canine to    follow should be used, from a slow walking pace to a run. This is    the only time the handler is allowed to run with the canine;    however, the handler should still maintain a taut leash for better    leash manipulation and control.

Use of Distraction

Vapor wake screening canine's ability to work around distractions,ignore them and remain focused on the task is only able to be achievedif proper objective oriented training is conducted. One distraction thatis incorporated into training is the blank (non-explosive carrying) ornon-perpetrator actor carrying the canine reward. This actor is able tocarry several reward objects simultaneously to enhance the opportunityto see if the canine is prone to exhibit an interest that is able to beconfused with explosive training aid detection, especially early inoperational training These actors and the reward objects they carry arecarefully staged/handled to ensure they do not inadvertently contactexplosive odor. Quarantining all potential “other odor” distractions(e.g. food) from explosive training aids is important.

Non-odor-based distractions include all of the probable sights, soundsand circumstances the canine is able to encounter and will effectivelywork around in its operational mission. Distractions include peopleblocking the canine's path as it follows the training perpetrator, orhaving someone attempt to pet or physically distract the canine while itis following a training perpetrator or working explosive odor. As withany environmental conditioning of a canine, intense, sudden or otherwisepotentially startle or fear inducing stimuli should be introducedthrough careful gradual exposure and successive approximations toapproaching the stimuli. The greater the variety of potentialdistractions to which the dog is conditioned, the more likely the dog isgoing to handle novel distractions it encounters without perturbing itsworking performance. Handlers should be vigilant in identifyingpotential new distractions and incorporating those into theirmaintenance training activities.

Blank Searches

It is important for the search team to occasionally use a scenario inwhich there is no aid present. Should, in training, an aid always befound, the team, when conducting a search in which no aid is present, isable to become anxious and induce a false response. Since many actualsearches result in no explosive present, the team should regularly trainfor blank searches.

Maintenance Training

Upon successful completion of basic training, the team should continuewith regularly scheduled and ongoing maintenance training Themaintenance training, continued for the life of the working team,maintains competence in basic principles and allows the team to developin those areas in which they are operational.

Each training session has specific goals—each session is carefullyplanned to meet specific objectives. This ongoing training is importantfor the continued effectiveness and success of the team.

In some embodiments, the training is conducted at least three timesweekly with two of the sessions being devoted to Vapor Wake Screening.

The maintenance training should include training at actual deploymentsites to further learn about air currents, human traffic flow and bestpractices for deployment. The maintenance training should also includenew or unknown areas to the team allowing them to practice the bestoption for deployment.

In some embodiments, the team includes a canine, a handler and one ormore spotters. The spotter is a person who trains regularly with thecanine team and is familiar with the canine team operation. The spottersurveys the crowd and environment and assists the handler in deploymentof the canine.

Documentation

Training is documented. The more detail, the better since it is able toassist a user in determining future training objectives and scenarios.Aspects of the training program should be varied, and good documentationhelps vary these aspects by providing a user with something to look backat when planning the next training session. If areas, days, times,explosives, quantities or other items are repeated too frequently, theuser should change so that the canine is not inadvertently learningaspects not desired to be learned. In some embodiments, at a minimum,the following should be documented:

1. Date/Time/Location of training.

2. Explosives—types and quantities.

3. Packaging of explosive training aid.

4. Sniff time—how long a dog works before detecting an explosive andeach subsequent explosive if additional training aids are used.

5. Deficiency—identify any training deficiency the canine has thatprevents it from performing at peak levels.

6 Corrective action—if a training deficiency is identified, a correctaction for future training sessions is developed.

7. Follow-up training—describing how the corrective action is working toremedy the deficiency.

FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart of a method of training a team in vaporwake detection according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, acanine is first selected based on demonstrating a high level ofindependent search behavior. In the step 100, training planning occurs.Training planning includes determining the type of vapor wake screeningsuch as choke point, crowds, people moving and people standing still.Training planning also includes determining air currents throughout thearea and determining if any air currents are to be manipulated (e.g.with a fan). In the step 102, the canine learns vapor wake detectiontechniques. The vapor wake detection techniques include learning tosample air currents. The vapor wake detection techniques includelearning that the target odor is not limited to stationary objects,identifying a moving target and learning to follow the moving target.Following the moving target also includes pursuing the target frombehind at a distance determined by the handler. The vapor wake detectiontechniques also include giving a final response (e.g. sitting). Thecanine is rewarded for performing correctly. In some embodiments,rewarding the canine includes a training perpetrator turning around toface the dog, removing a hidden reward and tossing the reward into thecanine's mouth. The training sessions vary in time and odors. Thetraining perpetrator is varied also. For example, the trainingperpetrator characteristics vary such as size, race and gender. In sometraining, distractions are implemented. The distractions are able to beany distractions such as blanks and distracting sights, sounds andcircumstances. In some embodiments, documenting is utilized to trackprogress and retain other information. In some embodiments, maintenancetraining is implemented to hone the team's skills. Maintenance trainingincludes focusing on deficiencies and addressing them. Each maintenancetraining session has specific goals that the team attempts to meet. Themaintenance training occurs at actual deployment sites and/or new orunknown areas to further practice. Although specific steps aredescribed, in some embodiments, fewer or more steps are included, and/orthe order of the steps is able to be changed.

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of a training system according to someembodiments. In the training system 200, a training perpetrator 202 hasa hidden reward 204 as well as a detectable item 206 to be detected suchas an explosive. A canine 208 with a handler 210 train to implementvapor wake detection with the training perpetrator 202. After carefulplanning, the canine 208 and handler 210 are positioned appropriately todetect the scent of the detectable item 206. Appropriate positioning issuch that the air flows to that area, and the canine is able to detect ascent. In some embodiments, a fan 212 or other device manipulates theair flow. The positioning is also based on the features of the locationsuch as whether there is a choke point, a large area of people or a lineof people. As described herein, the canine and handler positionthemselves appropriately depending on the situation to maximize the airflow and scents that the canine is able to analyze. Once the canine 208detects the scent of the item 206, the canine 208 follows the protocoland follows the training perpetrator 202 and the item 206 until theappropriate time to give the final response. The handler 210 ensures thecanine 208 stays at the appropriate distance. Once the final response isgiven, the training perpetrator 202 gives the canine 208 the hiddenreward 204. Other training features are able to be implemented as well,such as distractions 214 or the training perpetrator 202 does not havethe detectable item 206. Any other variations or features are able to beimplemented in the training sessions.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method of utilizing vapor wakedetection according to some embodiments. In the step 300, a canine ispositioned in an area that compliments vapor wake screening depending onthe scenario. As described, the scenario is able to be people walking orstanding, lines of people or people walking through a choke point, amongother possible scenarios. In the step 302, if a desired odor (e.g.explosive) is detected, the canine follows behind the carrier of theitem or approaches a stopped carrier of the item. In the step 304, thehandler recognizes the canine's change in behavior. In the step 306, thehandler identifies the carrier of the item. In some embodiments, in thestep 308, the handler removes the canine from the area. The canine isremoved any time before the final response. In the step 310, the handlernotifies security personnel to take the appropriate action such asfollow and observe or apprehend the person. If a desired odor is notdetected, the canine continues to wait until a desired odor is detectedor the handler ends the detection, in the step 312. Although specificsteps are described, in some embodiments, fewer or more steps areincluded, and/or the order of the steps is able to be changed.

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of a vapor wake detection system accordingto some embodiments. The vapor wake detection system 400 includes acanine 402 and a handler 404. The canine 402 and the handler 404 arepositioned properly so that the canine 402 is able to detect specificvapors such as bomb scents. In the example shown, the canine 402 and thehandler 404 are positioned at a choke point. Once the canine 402 detectsa target vapor, the canine 402 and the handler 404 follow the person 406who has the item 408 emitting the vapor. The handler 404 determines whohas the item 408 and contacts law enforcement personnel 410 to followand/or apprehend the person 406. A fan (as shown in FIG. 2) is able tobe used to direct air currents in a specified manner if desired. In someembodiments, the canine 402 and the handler 404 appear as lawenforcement for a deterrent effect. In some embodiments, the canine 402and the handler 404 appear without law enforcement uniforms such as ablind person and a seeing-eye dog to covertly detect illegal substances.

To utilize the dynamic canine tracking method, training is performedinitially. The training includes determining a canine appropriate fortraining, preparing a training plan and having the canine learn todetect target odors, follow the carrier of the odor and take an actionsuch as sitting when the carrier is identified. Then, once the trainingis completed, the canine is utilized by placing the canine in anappropriate location (e.g. near a choke point), allowing the canine tosniff the air attempting to detect a specified odor, following a carrierof the item emitting the odor, identifying the carrier and contactingthe appropriate personnel to monitor and/or apprehend the carrier.

In operation, the method is a “dog-driven” detection method which isdistinguished from traditional canine detection methods which are“handler driven.” The method is referred to as Vapor-wake Detection.Some features of this method include the ability to screen large numbersof persons passing through a given space without affecting thethroughput of the persons through the space and dogs are able toovercome distractions such as noise, commotion and ancillaryenvironmental odors, to prevent loss of tracking of the target odorant.Applications of the methodology include the interdiction and capture ofsuicide bombers, narcotics handlers and purveyors or illicitchemical/biological warfare materials. The methodology is able to beapplied in varied environments such as transit systems, venues for largepublic even gatherings such as stadiums and buildings and areas ofcommerce such as shopping malls and military environments.

The present invention has been described in terms of specificembodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding ofprinciples of construction and operation of the invention. Suchreference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is notintended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will bereadily apparent to one skilled in the art that other variousmodifications may be made in the embodiment chosen for illustrationwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedby the claims.

1-6. (canceled)
 7. A method of training a canine for detection, themethod comprising: choosing a detector canine that demonstrates a highlevel of independent search behavior; teaching the detector canine thatthe source of a target odor is not limited to stationary objects;teaching the detector canine to follow it vapor-wake of a moving target;teaching the detector canine to sample air currents; and teaching thedetector canine to follow the vapor-wake to the target and give a finalresponse. 8-19. (canceled)
 20. The method of claim 7, wherein choosingthe detector canine that demonstrates a high level of independent searchbehavior further includes choosing canines that are motivated to sniffand search independently in a manner to disguise their handlers.
 21. Themethod of claim 7, wherein choosing the detector canine thatdemonstrates a high level of independently search behavior furtherincludes choosing canines that are not overly sociable.
 22. The methodof claim 7, wherein the method further includes teaching the detectorcanine to search the air for vapor trails or scent pools of the targetodor generated by a moving or stationary target.
 23. The method of claim7, wherein the method further includes teaching the detector canine toaccommodate dissipation of the target odor over time.
 24. The method ofclaim further comprising teaching the detector canine to lead a handlerto the source of the target odor, where the source of the target odorcomes within a detectable range of the detector canine.
 25. The methodof claim further comprising documenting the detector canine's sniffingcapabilities.
 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising thedetector canine that passes a medical examination.
 27. The method ofclaim 26, wherein the medical examination includes testing for dexterityand freedom from bone, joint and musculature pathologies.
 28. A methodof training a canine for detection, the method comprising: choosing adetector canine that demonstrates a high level of sniffing capabilities;teaching the detector canine that the source of to target odor is notlimited to stationary objects; teaching the detector canine to follow avapor-wake of a moving target; teaching the detector canine to sampleair currents; and teaching the detector canine to lead a handler to thesource of the target odor, where the source of the target odor comeswithin a detectable range of the detector canine.
 29. The method ofclaim 28, further comprising choosing the detector canine thatdemonstrates a high level of independent search behavior, furtherincluding choosing canines that are motivated to sniff and searchindependently in a manner to disguise their handlers.
 30. The method ofclaim 29, wherein choosing the detector canine that demonstrates a highlevel of independent search behavior further includes choosing caninesthat are not overly sociable.
 31. The method of claim 28, wherein themethod further includes teaching the detector canine to search the airfor vapor trails or scent pools of the target odor generated by a movingor stationary target.
 32. The method of claim 28, wherein the methodfurther includes teaching the detector canine to accommodate dissipationof the target odor over time.
 33. The method of claim 28, furthercomprising teaching the detector canine to follow the vapor-wake to thetarget and give a final response.
 34. The method of claim 28, furthercomprising choosing the detector canine that passes a medicalexamination.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the medical examinationincludes testing for dexterity and freedom from bone, joint andmusculature pathologies.
 36. A method of training a detector canine thatis not overly sociable and demonstrates a high level of independentsearch behavior, the method comprising: teaching the detector caninethat the source of a target odor is not limited to stationary object;teaching the detector canine to follow a vapor-wake of a moving target;teaching the detector canine tip sample air currents; and teaching thedetector canine to search the air for vapor trails or scent pools of thetarget odor generated by a moving or stationary target.
 37. The methodof claim 36 further comprising teaching the detector canine to lead ahandler to the source of the target odor, where the source of the targetodor comes within a detectable range of the detector canine, and give afinal response.
 38. The method of claim 36 further comprising teachingthe detector canine to follow the vapor-wake to the target and give afinal response.